Sport

Saints duo to stake England claim on historic night

Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana will tonight be given a chance to stake their claim for a major role in England’s future.

Roy Hodgson’s men will play their final match of the 2014 World Cup, against Costa Rica, with the Saints duo both confirmed to start.

The St Mary’s pair, who have both progressed through the club’s academy ranks, will make history as they become the first Saints teammates to start together for England at a World Cup.

England’s exit from the tournament has already been confirmed, following defeats to Italy and Uruguay.

Their failure to make it out of Group D marks the first time since 1958 that they have not made it to the knockout stages.

Roy Hodgson’s beleaguered men are hoping to avoid further embarrassment this evening, with England never having lost all of their group matches at a World Cup.

Their opponents in Belo Horizonte will be a confident Costa Rica, who have already ensured they will advance to the last 16, with six points from six.

With England’s fate sealed, Hodgson has confirmed he will ring the changes, making nine in total, and surprisingly named his team the evening before the game.

That means Shaw making his first ever World Cup appearance, starting at left-back in place of Leighton Baines, who has a groin problem.

The 18-year-old’s teammate, Saints captain Lallana, has been used as a late substitute in both of England’s matches so far in Brazil, and is now in line to play a far greater role tonight.

Shaw, 18, and Lallana, 26, have both made the breakthrough onto the international scene in recent months, and are seen as potentially important parts of England’s future.

Strong performances today would only serve to reinforce their status in that respect.

"It's a great opportunity for these players," said Hodgson.

"I'm handing them an opportunity to go out on a fantastic stage and show they're not only players of potential, but they are ready to play on this stage now and won't let the team down."

He added: “We're very conscious that our fans are as disappointed and devastated as we are, and still supporting us.

"We had kind words and sympathy (from some of them) in the hotel, and we want to make certain they see something tomorrow that they can take some encouragement from."

There may be nothing riding on the game, but Hodgson insists England will not be taking it lightly.

"It's a top-ranked international on the biggest stage, so anything else than taking the game very seriously and trying to win the game in its own right would be out of the question," the former Liverpool manager said.

"This is a game against the top team in the group, the team who have exceeded all expectations with their results and the quality of their football.

"We have to show we can compete with this team. And it's a chance to show our fans that we still have a lot of pride in our performance."

Even if England win, Hodgson concedes it will be hard for him to raise his spirits after the events of the last fortnight.

He said: "From this tournament, I've realised that, at this top level in a World Cup, it's unforgiving.

"A moment really of sheer misfortune can throw everyone into a realm of despair that you didn't know was possible.

"This game will tell me a lot about the players.

"It's been a very tough few days and it's hard to pick yourselves up for a game that, even if you do well in, serves no purpose."

Comments (14)

http://www.dailymail
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l/article-2666337/Lu
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ag-rocks-Manchester-
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i think i like RK already why not if they want him they will have to pay!

http://www.dailymail
.co.uk/sport/footbal
l/article-2666337/Lu
ke-Shaws-40m-price-t
ag-rocks-Manchester-
United-Southampton-b
id-England-ace.html
i think i like RK already why not if they want him they will have to pay!Winsaint

Hasn't Luke already been trying to stake a claim on another historic night?

Come on lads do us proud and show Roy that he should have picked you in the first place, before he bottled it and gave in to the press!

Hasn't Luke already been trying to stake a claim on another historic night?
Come on lads do us proud and show Roy that he should have picked you in the first place, before he bottled it and gave in to the press!el caballo santos101

Costa Rica are rated 18 places behind England in the FIFA world rankings. Costa should be ranked a lot higher after their fantastic performances in this year's World Cup. Tonight Costa will show how far they have progressed since the last WC and how much England have stuttered and fallen behind other countries when it comes to World Cups. Does not say much for our Premiership being that our so called best players were selected from there.
There is always 2018?

Costa Rica are rated 18 places behind England in the FIFA world rankings. Costa should be ranked a lot higher after their fantastic performances in this year's World Cup. Tonight Costa will show how far they have progressed since the last WC and how much England have stuttered and fallen behind other countries when it comes to World Cups. Does not say much for our Premiership being that our so called best players were selected from there.
There is always 2018?cebu blue

johnlennonar wrote:
Never understood why Wellbeck started instead of Lallana after the poor season he´s had for Man UTD.

PRESSURE BLINDNESS by Roy.

An honest mistake ? - Let the ENGLAND FANS be the Judge of that.

One thing for Shaw - LALA is MILES better than welbeck - FACT.

[quote][p][bold]johnlennonar[/bold] wrote:
Never understood why Wellbeck started instead of Lallana after the poor season he´s had for Man UTD.[/p][/quote]PRESSURE BLINDNESS by Roy.
An honest mistake ? - Let the ENGLAND FANS be the Judge of that.
One thing for Shaw - LALA is MILES better than welbeck - FACT.The Rise of The Foot Soldier.

Good luck to the lads, and I hope Gaston scores the winner in the other match...

p.s. Thanks to whoever sorted out the Daily Echo mobile website - I can finally read the comments sections whilst on the move now :)

Good luck to the lads, and I hope Gaston scores the winner in the other match...
p.s. Thanks to whoever sorted out the Daily Echo mobile website - I can finally read the comments sections whilst on the move now :)Beer Monster

As already mentioned, RK has apparently upped Shaw's selling price to £40m - brilliant. Finally we're telling the top clubs we're no longer a selling club but if you really want the players you're unable to produce yourself you're going to have to fork out top dollar. Has made my day.

Now we look forward to our players coming home and finding out who REALLY wants to go (and who we'll ALLOW to go) - and not forgetting of course those who will come IN.

The futures bright - in red and white stripes.

As already mentioned, RK has apparently upped Shaw's selling price to £40m - brilliant. Finally we're telling the top clubs we're no longer a selling club but if you really want the players you're unable to produce yourself you're going to have to fork out top dollar. Has made my day.
Now we look forward to our players coming home and finding out who REALLY wants to go (and who we'll ALLOW to go) - and not forgetting of course those who will come IN.
The futures bright - in red and white stripes.saint christopher

It will be interesting to see how Shaw performs at this level. This could be his big chance as Baines was poor in the previous matches. Lallana will just show how much better he is than Wellbeck who's constant selection is a mystery! Secondly if they have a good game and they still want to leave it will just push up the price. It makes tonight's game worth watching.

It will be interesting to see how Shaw performs at this level. This could be his big chance as Baines was poor in the previous matches. Lallana will just show how much better he is than Wellbeck who's constant selection is a mystery! Secondly if they have a good game and they still want to leave it will just push up the price. It makes tonight's game worth watching.Chapperall

bullsbags wrote:
According to press reports manure have upped their offer for Luke to 34 million
That must be a world record for a fullback,let alone a teenager
Should we accept or push for the 40 mill ?

As Ronko has not met anyone yet, Players or agents it seems strange that there has been any action at all, once he has had a chance to appraise what he has got, then we might be made aware of who he wants to keep and who he wants to get rid.

[quote][p][bold]bullsbags[/bold] wrote:
According to press reports manure have upped their offer for Luke to 34 million
That must be a world record for a fullback,let alone a teenager
Should we accept or push for the 40 mill ?[/p][/quote]As Ronko has not met anyone yet, Players or agents it seems strange that there has been any action at all, once he has had a chance to appraise what he has got, then we might be made aware of who he wants to keep and who he wants to get rid.OSPREYSAINT

bullsbags wrote:
According to press reports manure have upped their offer for Luke to 34 million
That must be a world record for a fullback,let alone a teenager
Should we accept or push for the 40 mill ?

As Ronko has not met anyone yet, Players or agents it seems strange that there has been any action at all, once he has had a chance to appraise what he has got, then we might be made aware of who he wants to keep and who he wants to get rid.

I`m sure he would know enough about the squad already and would have looked at their profiles and videos. I doubt he got the job and then just forgot about it whilst on his little break.
what I cant work out though is, we were apparently asking £30mill for luke and manure were said to have bid £27mill, and we had loads of `in the knows` telling us it was a done deal, they had spoken to lukes fathers, hairdressers, sisters, dog walkers, cousins wife to confirm this. manure then are said to have bid £34mill and we up the asking price to £40mill. so we were asking £30mill yet manure bid £34mill? we then up the asking price, why would they go to £34mill if we were only asking £30mill? does this mean the press and `in the knows` have been wrong all along?

[quote][p][bold]OSPREYSAINT[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]bullsbags[/bold] wrote:
According to press reports manure have upped their offer for Luke to 34 million
That must be a world record for a fullback,let alone a teenager
Should we accept or push for the 40 mill ?[/p][/quote]As Ronko has not met anyone yet, Players or agents it seems strange that there has been any action at all, once he has had a chance to appraise what he has got, then we might be made aware of who he wants to keep and who he wants to get rid.[/p][/quote]I`m sure he would know enough about the squad already and would have looked at their profiles and videos. I doubt he got the job and then just forgot about it whilst on his little break.
what I cant work out though is, we were apparently asking £30mill for luke and manure were said to have bid £27mill, and we had loads of `in the knows` telling us it was a done deal, they had spoken to lukes fathers, hairdressers, sisters, dog walkers, cousins wife to confirm this. manure then are said to have bid £34mill and we up the asking price to £40mill. so we were asking £30mill yet manure bid £34mill? we then up the asking price, why would they go to £34mill if we were only asking £30mill? does this mean the press and `in the knows` have been wrong all along?de Heiligen paard 101

saint christopher wrote:
As already mentioned, RK has apparently upped Shaw's selling price to £40m - brilliant. Finally we're telling the top clubs we're no longer a selling club but if you really want the players you're unable to produce yourself you're going to have to fork out top dollar. Has made my day.

Now we look forward to our players coming home and finding out who REALLY wants to go (and who we'll ALLOW to go) - and not forgetting of course those who will come IN.

The futures bright - in red and white stripes.

Actually, the message is that we are a selling club, a very expensive selling club, but a selling cub all the same. That's if you believe the rumours.

[quote][p][bold]saint christopher[/bold] wrote:
As already mentioned, RK has apparently upped Shaw's selling price to £40m - brilliant. Finally we're telling the top clubs we're no longer a selling club but if you really want the players you're unable to produce yourself you're going to have to fork out top dollar. Has made my day.
Now we look forward to our players coming home and finding out who REALLY wants to go (and who we'll ALLOW to go) - and not forgetting of course those who will come IN.
The futures bright - in red and white stripes.[/p][/quote]Actually, the message is that we are a selling club, a very expensive selling club, but a selling cub all the same. That's if you believe the rumours.Rising_Son

bullsbags wrote:
According to press reports manure have upped their offer for Luke to 34 million
That must be a world record for a fullback,let alone a teenager
Should we accept or push for the 40 mill ?

As Ronko has not met anyone yet, Players or agents it seems strange that there has been any action at all, once he has had a chance to appraise what he has got, then we might be made aware of who he wants to keep and who he wants to get rid.

I`m sure he would know enough about the squad already and would have looked at their profiles and videos. I doubt he got the job and then just forgot about it whilst on his little break.
what I cant work out though is, we were apparently asking £30mill for luke and manure were said to have bid £27mill, and we had loads of `in the knows` telling us it was a done deal, they had spoken to lukes fathers, hairdressers, sisters, dog walkers, cousins wife to confirm this. manure then are said to have bid £34mill and we up the asking price to £40mill. so we were asking £30mill yet manure bid £34mill? we then up the asking price, why would they go to £34mill if we were only asking £30mill? does this mean the press and `in the knows` have been wrong all along?

Smoke and mirrors come to mind.

[quote][p][bold]de Heiligen paard 101[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]OSPREYSAINT[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]bullsbags[/bold] wrote:
According to press reports manure have upped their offer for Luke to 34 million
That must be a world record for a fullback,let alone a teenager
Should we accept or push for the 40 mill ?[/p][/quote]As Ronko has not met anyone yet, Players or agents it seems strange that there has been any action at all, once he has had a chance to appraise what he has got, then we might be made aware of who he wants to keep and who he wants to get rid.[/p][/quote]I`m sure he would know enough about the squad already and would have looked at their profiles and videos. I doubt he got the job and then just forgot about it whilst on his little break.
what I cant work out though is, we were apparently asking £30mill for luke and manure were said to have bid £27mill, and we had loads of `in the knows` telling us it was a done deal, they had spoken to lukes fathers, hairdressers, sisters, dog walkers, cousins wife to confirm this. manure then are said to have bid £34mill and we up the asking price to £40mill. so we were asking £30mill yet manure bid £34mill? we then up the asking price, why would they go to £34mill if we were only asking £30mill? does this mean the press and `in the knows` have been wrong all along?[/p][/quote]Smoke and mirrors come to mind.OSPREYSAINT

Whilst neither could be considered to have had an outstanding performance last night both showed they are not out of their depth in that company. Why did Lallana not make the 90 mins once again? I didn't notice he was running out of steam.

Whilst neither could be considered to have had an outstanding performance last night both showed they are not out of their depth in that company. Why did Lallana not make the 90 mins once again? I didn't notice he was running out of steam.jls217